How much is car insurance?

For 2017, the average monthly car insurance prices at Progressive ranged from $116 in South Dakota to $188 in California. Remember, these are average prices. How much your car insurance costs depends on a variety of factors, including vehicle, age, driving record, insurance company you buy from, and location.

States included

Why these are the most affordable states

Favorable weather: Most of these states aren't coastal, which means you're not as susceptible to catastrophic weather such as hurricanes. Plus, these are non-desert states, which means chipped/cracked glass claims aren't as common. Glass claims are usually caused by debris/rocks being kicked up cars, and that happens more frequently in dry, desert states.

Small population density: Fewer drivers leads to less congested roads, lower traffic, and ultimately fewer accidents.

Low crime rates: For vandalism and car thefts, these states generally rank lower than medium and high-cost states.

Lack of dangerous intersections: Insurance companies track data on particularly dangerous intersections, such as five- and six-way stops, really busy intersections, etc. These states tend to have fewer, which means fewer accidents.

Insurance requirements are minimal: So we pass the savings on to drivers.

States included

Why these states rank in the middle per cost

Fairly favorable weather: Most states in this group aren't coastal, so you're not susceptible to catastrophic weather. But, desert and other dry states may be prone to glass damage from debris/rocks being kicked up by cars.

Fairly populated: These states fall in the middle in terms of population, which means they also fall in the middle for traffic and accidents.

Medium crime rates: For vandalism and car thefts, these states generally rank lower than high-cost states but higher than low-cost states.

Fewer dangerous intersections: Compared to high cost states, most states ranking in the middle per cost don't have as many risky intersections—which means fewer accidents.

Some insurance requirements by state law: These aren't the most regulated states, but may have more mandates that could increase insurance prices compared to low-cost states.

Why these are the most expensive states

Dense population: More drivers mean more accidents.

Severe weather issues: Earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes are more common, as many of these states are coastal. Plus, many of these non-coastal states are more prone to hail, which leads to more claims.

Higher crime rates: Theft and vandalism are more common in this group of states than medium- and lower-priced states, which results in more claims.

More dangerous intersections: Busy five- and six-way stops are likely to cause more accidents.

More stringent insurance requirements by state laws: Many of these states have highly regulated insurance laws or more complex coverage requirements. That means higher prices.

About our data

This data shows the average rate for a six-month auto policy at Progressive for 2017. Keep checking back, because we'll be continuously updating this page. When researching average prices, it's very important to pay attention to the source of the data and the year. Rates are always changing and any data that's several years old may not be relevant.

While this data provides insight as to the average cost of car insurance in every state, it isn't customized to your situation. With so many variables affecting auto insurance, you'll want to get a car insurance quote online or by calling us at 866-749-7436.

Rates are always changing, so we'll be continuously updating this page.

Please note: The above content is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features on this page are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for, nor do we endorse or approve, the content of any third party sites linked from this page. Access to such sites is being provided for informational purposes only.